"Continued innovation is critical to keeping cyber networks and systems safe," said Secretary Napolitano. "This agreement demonstrates concrete and practical steps that the United States and the Netherlands are taking to further strengthen cooperation while sharing cutting-edge technologies to ensure our mutual security."
The U.S.-Netherlands Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology Concerning Homeland and Civil Security Matters will help foster bilateral cooperation in fields that have a direct impact on national security, including research, evaluation, and preparation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and anti-explosive protection measures to better protect the flow of commerce and the citizens of both nations.

The United States and the Netherlands will initiate this cooperative agreement through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, and the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice and the Netherlands Office of Science and Technology.

"This science and technology agreement will not only help the Netherlands and the United States better prepare for current and future threats to our societies, but also ensure that we tap each other's expertise and potential in a cost-effective and efficient manner," said Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten.

In February, Secretary Napolitano and Minister Opstelten signed a Letter of Intent to build upon cooperative cybersecurity initiatives to promote a safe, secure and resilient cyber environment. To date, DHS has signed 12 other international agreements to foster collaboration in science and technology, including research and development in cutting-edge technologies to ensure our mutual security.